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Shito class returns to post By Sgt. KELLY BROTHERS Inside the Turret staff writer Some of the younger students who to John Harris’ Independent Karate Federation classes on Fort Knox are a little unhappy when they learn that they won’t be training like Ninja Turtles. "At first they can be really disappointed that we don’t jump up in the air and do 16 kicks," Harris said. Most students get over their discontent and stay for the classes, though. Harris teaches Shito-style karate at Fort Knox and in Elizabethtown. His 42-member Knox classes feature a wide range of students, from a four year old to several soldiers. Shito karate is a hard Japanese fighting style. "The number one thing is discipline," Harris said. Then you get physically fit, your body becomes hard Since we’re a hard style that is what we aim for—toughening the body." Shito karate, Harris said, is comprised of primarily low stances. "In some forms of karate, the stances are high or halfway. Ours are low when we train. That means you have to work hard, it hurts your legs," he said. "We train with the philosophy that if we get into a fight, there should only be one punch or kick. If it goes any further, you have a chance of getting yourself hurt. The style is very fast, according to Harris. "Our style is all speed. We teach them how to punch and kick really hard and really fast." In Harris’ class, as in forms of karate, there is body contact, but it is controlled. His students must show that control at all times, not just in the dojo. There are seven principles we go by," Harris said. ‘We can’t tell when they come in whether or they will abide by them, but if they don’t they can either correct it (the problem) or leave the class." The seven principles stress willingness of a student to train to strengthen body, to endure rigorous training, and to cultivate a heart. The principles forbid using the leaned outside the dojo except in most extreme circumstances, such as bragging about skill and inflicting injury upon person. As long as we’ve been here (and in Elizabethtown) there hasn’t been a problem with kids using what we’ve taught them outside (the dojo)," Harris said. "It is just not permitted. They know they are not to use it, and they don’t." Harris said 28 of his students were promoted April 18, most to the orange-belt level. The orange belt is given as the first belt in a series of 10 Kyus (ranks), he said. The orange belt is followed by two stages of blue belts. The next stage is purple, the mid-way stage is green, followed by three stages of brown belt until the ultimate goal of shodon-ho, black belt. Higher levels (or dans) are also achievable on the black belt as more skill and ability are learned Harris said it can take any where from three to five years to earn a black belt, depending on the student’s skills and mental capacity. "There are no ‘gimmie's he said. "You have to earn it, you have to know you ready for it, and I have to know you’re ready for it." The tests the students must pass depend on the level they are advancing to, Harris said. However, they must know the seven principles of the Federation, and show the proper level of skill. Higher levels of belts require sparring to progress. "They (the students) have three priorities—family, school, and karate if they are not doing well in the first two, we don’t want them in here." One of Harris’ students, 9-year-old Trent Emory, is one of the top fighters in the state. "It (karate) was just some thing I wanted to do," he said. Emory said he enjoys all the aspects of karate, but be excelled at the state meet in kata (which he describes as "fighting with invisible people"). Charles Brookins, a 32- year-old student, said he takes the classes primarily for the physical fitness aspect. "It really helps with PT," he said. "A lot of the muscles we use in here don’t get used with the Army’s PT program. For overall fitness, it’s a great sport." "I first took the class because my mom wanted me to know self-defense," said 13-year-old Jasmine Falcon. "Then I just started liking it." Falcon, who claims that she has used her karate in self defense, said she plans on staying in the sport and getting her black belt. Another student, Andrew Braun, 26, took a semester of karate in college. Four years later, he is back in the sport. "I always wanted to be in karate," he said. "For physical conditioning, you can’t heat it." Braun said he also enjoys the discipline the class enforces. "Sensei Harris doesn’t just. teach karate," Braun said. "He teaches away of life, how to be an overall person. We learn to light, but we also learn to be humane." The ongoing classes cost $20 a month on Fort Knox, with sign-ups at the Copple Community Center. The classes can also be taken at the Elizabethtown Swim and Fitness Center for $25.00 a month. The Knox classes are held Monday, Wednesday, and Friday nights, with classes in Elizabethtown on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Each session lasts four hours, and consists of four one hour classes. Harris said students can come to one class, or stay for all four. Harris said Saturday members of his class will find out how much potential they have. A regional meet in Wilmington, Ohio, will pit five or six of the students against their peers in their first tournament. |
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